A tense moment between two superstar batters quickly turned into pure drama during the Big Bash League 2025-26 (BBL 2025-26) clash between the Sydney Sixers and the Sydney Thunder, as Steve Smith and Babar Azam found themselves at the center of attention at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
SCG Drama: Babar Azam left furious as Steve Smith denies single, next over turns brutal
It all started at the end of the 11th over when Steve Smith clearly refused to take a single off the final ball from Chris Green. The in-form Australian batting icon wanted to stay on strike and control the next over, but this move did not go down well with Babar Azam.
The Pakistan star looked visibly frustrated and walked up to Smith, as Babar must have wanted to reach his fifty in the BBL 2025-26 clash against Sydney Thunder at the SCG on January 16. The two exchanged a few words, with Smith calmly explaining his plan at the crease.
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What followed made Smith’s decision look masterful. In the very next over, the Australian star went into full beast mode and smashed a massive 32 runs, completely shifting the momentum of the game and putting huge pressure back on David Warner’s Thunder.
Scenes in the BBL:
– Steve Smith refused to take a single on the last ball of the over.
– Babar was not happy about it.
– In the next over, Smith smashed 32 runs.
– In the following over, Babar bowled and hit the boundary cushion in anger. pic.twitter.com/eEMFWZtpDC— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) January 16, 2026
Steve Smith goes berserk to create BBL history
In the 12th over, Smith completely took apart Ryan Hadley and produced one of the most brutal overs ever seen in Big Bash League history. The over started with a full ball on the off stump. Smith calmly shuffled across and flicked it over deep backward square leg for six.
The next delivery was a half-volley outside off, and Smith stayed back and lifted it cleanly over long-on. Then came a low full toss on middle. Smith again moved inside the line and flicked it for another six over deep backward square leg. Three balls, three sixes.
Well, then Hadley tried a slower ball next, full on off, but Smith waited, timed it perfectly, and sent it flying over deep square leg for a fourth straight six. For Thunder, things went from bad to worse when Hadley overstepped badly. It was called a no-ball, and Smith cut the short delivery outside off for four, earning himself a free hit.
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The over finally ended with Smith driving a slower full ball through the covers and running hard for two, thanks to a brilliant diving save in the deep. By the time the over ended, Smith had smashed 32 runs, the most expensive over in BBL history, leaving everyone in shock.
32 RUNS OFF ONE OVER!
Steve Smith hit four sixes in a row in this wild over at the SCG. #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/fSPEaw3Xoo
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 16, 2026
Babar Azam bowled for 47, smashes boundary cushions in anger
However, the drama peaked moments later at the start of the 13th over when Babar’s own innings came to a painful end. Facing a short-of-length ball from Nathan McAndrew on the off stump, Babar tried to force the shot but got a thick inside edge that crashed into his leg stump.
He was bowled for 47 off 39 balls, featuring seven boundaries. Furious with the dismissal, Babar slammed his bat hard into the boundary cushions as he walked off.
However, the damage was already done by Smith as the Sydney Sixers chased down the 189-run target inside 18 overs at the SCG. Smith was named Player of the Match for his 42-ball 100 against the Thunder as Sixers boosted their BBL 2025-26 playoff chances with a thrilling win.
Crazy scenes in the BBL
Babar plays 3 dots. On the last ball of the over he hits it to long on & Steve Smith denies the single. Babar was angry.
Smith then hit 4 sixes in a row. And 32 off the over.
Next ball Babar got out pic.twitter.com/YExj6SJbuk
— Haroon (@hazharoon) January 16, 2026
